The history of adoption in the UK shows an interesting journey that highlights the evolution of societal attitudes, legal frameworks, and support systems surrounding the placement of adopted children in need of stable and loving homes. From its philanthropic origins to the establishment of legal frameworks promoting the best interests of the child, adoption within the UK has adapted to the changing societal attitudes by embracing openness and recognising the vital role of post adoption support.
The roots of adoption in the UK can be traced quite far back to charitable and religious organisations in the 19th century. These organisations, such as the Foundling Hospital, aimed to provide refuge for abandoned or orphaned children in the UK. Through acts of philanthropy, children were placed in temporary foster homes or apprenticeships to receive care and support.
The Adoption of Children Act 1926 introduced for the first time in England and Wales a legal process by which the rights and responsibilities for a child could be transferred from birth parents to adoptive parents. Before this act, adoptive parents had no rights over their adopted child, and the rights remained with the biological parents. The act granted adopted children the same status as birth children, allowing them to inherit and be treated as children of adopters for legal purposes. In 2026 it will be 100 years since the Adoption of Children Act 1926 was first introduced. Although the legislation still stands, there have been numerous changes during this period. Contraception, abortion, reduced stigmatisation, and better support and employment opportunities for single mothers have all meant that the population of children placed for adoption has now changed. Nowadays, the majority of those who are adopted in the UK are children who have been placed in local authority care because the courts have found them to be ‘suffering, or likely to suffer significant harm’, and who cannot safely return home within an appropriate timeframe.
The act gave adoptive parents the same rights and responsibilities as birth parents and secured the child’s new position within their adoptive family. At the time (1926), the majority of adoptees were ‘illegitimate’ children whose birth families were unable or unwilling to support them. One of the key purposes of the Act was to protect all concerned from the stigma of illegitimacy. Adoptions were shrouded in secrecy and contact between children and birth family members was curtailed.
Ultimately, this act marked the formal recognition of adoption within the UK as a legal process, paving the way for securing a child’s future within a new family. Adoption societies were established, responsible for assessing potential adopters and facilitating suitable placements for children. The Act introduced comprehensive regulations to ensure the well-being and protection of adopted children in the UK.
The aftermath of World War II brought with it changing attitudes towards adoption. The welfare of the child became paramount which lead to legislative developments seeking to expand more child adoption opportunities.
The Adoption Act 1949 consolidated existing adoption laws and introduced safeguarding practice to prevent abuse or exploitation. This act also emphasized the rights of adopted children to know their history (origin) and encouraged better support for the adoptive families.
The Children Act of 1975 recognised the importance of assessing prospective adopters’ suitability, focusing on their ability to meet a child’s needs rather than prioritising their marital status. This dismantled barriers for single and divorced individuals, widening the pool of potential adoptive parents in the UK.
The Children Act 1989 further highlighted the importance of a child's welfare, urging local authorities to consider adoption when it looks into the best interests of the child. This act also introduced measures to ensure that adopted children would maintain connections with their birth families, further emphasizing the value of cultural heritage and identity, should the birth parents wish to be involved.
The late 20th Century witnessed a growing recognition of the significance of open adoption, allowing birth relatives and adoptive families to maintain various degrees of contact and information sharing. In addition to this, post adoption support services within the UK became vital, providing assistance to adoptive families in navigating the challenges and offering access to counselling, therapy services and various support networks.
The adoption process is continuing to evolve with modern times. Prospective adopters and their extensive families can now benefit from online resources, streamlined application procedures and access to a wide variety of adoption agencies over the country.
The Adoption and Children Act 2002 reinforced the emphasis on children's welfare by providing a legislative framework which prioritieses stability, continued involvement of birth families where appropriate and permanence.
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